Sounding Off: Frisco readers tell us if public schools should observe the holiday season

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Staff photo by JIM MAHONEY/DMN

B.H. Macon Elementary School first-grade student Emily Vasquez, 6, was given a surprise Christmas present from students at University of Phoenix. Recognizing that the economic recession affected many local families, University of Phoenix’s six campus locations raised more than $7,800 from employees to purchase gifts for the 600 students at the school.

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Gov. Perry signed HB 308 into law earlier this year, which allows students and staff at schools in Texas to say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays. What do you think of the state law? Should public schools be free to observe the holiday season?

Sandra Reeves, Frisco: Personally, I think it’s ridiculous that there has to be a law in the first place! Of course students and staff should be able to say any of those expressions. This is America. You know, baseball, apple pie, free speech!

Jean Durrett, Celina: It is a sad day when a law is passed to allow Americans to sayMerry Christmas. I am a Christian and feel I should have respect to say Christian slogans in a Christian nation. I am disgusted that public schools won’t allow any mention of Christmas; they say Happy Holidays. I respect everyone’s right to worship in their way, but don’t say anything when I worship Jesus in my way!

Jimmy Law, Pilot Point: This is overkill and typical of conservative politics. That is, pass a law that means nothing and accomplishes nothing. Students and teachers were saying those things already.

Gerald Montgomery, Frisco: Should public schools be free to observe the holiday season? Absolutely! Felicitations are friendly, positive and meant to raise people’s spirits. They are not meant to hurt anyone, so if a person takes offense, they have a real problem, which cannot be solved by denying others their rights to express positive values.

Leroy Whitaker, North Dallas: Everyone should be free to observe any day or event that is important to his/her religion. I am not offended by them doing so; rather, I respect their right to practice their faith. Why should anyone be offended by my practice of Christianity?

Lisa Osterholt, Little Elm: Our public schools are required to treat every family’s religious beliefs with respect. If we allow some religious holiday greetings to be used, then we should allow all holiday greetings. Happy Bodhi Day, Merry Yule and Happy Kwanzaa, everyone. Our founding fathers agreed that church and state needed to be separate. Let’s follow their good advice by celebrating the holiday season at home or at church with our families instead of in our public schools.

Andrew Sheehy, Frisco: Only in 2013 America do we need a law for this. A hundred years from now, society will be looking at this time in history as a work of fiction.

Meredith England, Frisco: In this time of political correctness, we have lost our minds in this country. Must we involve children in this issue? What hypocrites! We promote the holiday shopping season, but my child cannot say Merry Christmas unless the legislature gives her permission? No wonder we have such low test scores in this country our schools have to worry about the thought police and have no time to teach.

Sallie Henry, Frisco: I think the public schools should be free to observe the holiday season, whether it be Christmas or Easter. The staff and students should be allowed to wish people Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas or Happy Winter Solstice. Knowledge and tolerance have never harmed anyone, whereas the same cannot be said for bias and prejudice. The freedom to exchange thoughts and ideas is a benefit to any student. That is, after all, what education is all about.

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